UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, December 6, 1995
3B
ALOHA BOWL
Edmee Rodriguez/KANSAN
Kansas senior wide receiver Ashaunaila Smith eludes the Missouri defense. Smith and senior quarterback Mark Williams keved a rejuvenated Jawhawk passing attack that average about 180 yards passing a game this season.
Victory and history mark Jayhawks' winning season
Richard Devinki / KANSAN
Kansas linebackers Dick Hort (41) and Jason Thoren stuff Oklahoma's James Allen. Despite key losses to injuries, the defense led Kansas to a 9-2 record.
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas football team began practicing 119 days ago for what would turn out to be one of the most successful seasons in school history.
"The enthusiasm is returning to the defense," Kansas junior defensive back Tony Blevins said before the season. "I am looking forward to it."
At the time though, no one could have known what was to come.
Unfortunately, Blevins would never play in a game after being redshirted. He had not fully recovered from last year's season-ending knee injury.
In fact, injuries were a recurring theme during the first part of the season.
The Jayhawks also lost senior linebacker N勇 Ward, sophomore defensive back Avery Randle, sophomore defensive back Charles Davis, junior running back Mark Sanders and sophomore defensive end Lamar Sharpe for the year.
"I've never really been a spectator in my life," said Sharpe, who is out with a knee injury. "It's kind of hard to sit back and watch. And yet, I know I'll be back."
But it didn't come easy.
Despite the injuries, the football team experienced success early and often.
As was the case all year though, the Jayhawks came up with big plays when they needed them and pulled out victories.
But come on easy!
Against Cincinnati — the 1,000th game in school history — Kansas trailed with less than five minutes remaining in the game, it only led North Texas 13-10 at halftime and trailed Houston 13-12 with less than two minutes to play.
"We must have the best clergyman in the country," Kansas senior tight end Jim Moore said after the team's victory against Houston. "Someone up there is looking over us."
After a forced fumble and ensuing touchdown run for a 23-18 lead, the Kansas defense held as Cincinnati marched down to the 5-yard line before running out of time. The defense also sparked a 27-10 victory against North Texas with a second-half shutout. An interception, a 1-yard touchdown run and a twopoint conversion were the difference in the 20-13 come-from-behind win against Houston.
The biggest non-conference game, however, was a rematch with Texas Christian — a team that many felt knocked Kansas out of
bowl game last year — at home, under the lights on ESPN.
"Revenge factor? Everybody hates to lose," Kansas senior outside linebacker Keith Rodgers said before the game.
Whatever the motivation, the Jayhawks defeated the Horned Frogs 38-20. It would only be the start of national recognition and big wins.
With a 4-0 non-conference record and a week off, Kansas traveled to Boulder. Colo. to take on No. 4 Colorado. Although they were huge underdogs, the Jayhawks dominated the Buffaloes on both sides of the ball and managed a 40-24 upset.
A 22-play, 80-yard drive up more than 12:00 minutes of the second quarter and helped to overcome a 14-0 deficit. Kansas senior punter Darrin Simmons also scrambled for a 45-yard fake punt and senior wide receiver Ashaoundi Smith made an acrobatic reception.
"That wasn't an upset today," Kansas football coach Glen Mason objected after the game. "it's only an upset if, in your
The Kansas bubble finally burst, though, after a seven-game winning streak when it traveled to Manhattan. Kansas State held the Kansas rushing attack to 19 yards and went
1995 Kansas Football Results
The next week, the Jayhawks traveled to a hostile environment again to face a nationally ranked team on national television.
The win catapulted Kansas into the top 10 and the momentum carried into the Homecoming game against Iowa State. The Jayhawks rolled, holding Iowa State sophomore running back Troy Davis, the nation's leading rusher, 60 yards below his average. Kansas won 34-7.
own mind, you ohly think that you're the lesser team. I didn't think that we were a lesser team."
1999 Kansas Football Results
Sept. 7 KU 23, Cincinnati 18
Sept. 9 KU 27, North Texas 10
Sept. 14 KU 38, Texas Christian 20
Sept. 23 KU 20, Houston 13
Oct. 7 KU 40, Colorado 24
Oct. 14 KU 34, State State 7
Oct. 21 KU 38, Oklahoma 17
Oct. 28 Kansas State 41, KU 7
Nov. 4 KU 42, Missouri 24
Nov. 11 Nebraska 41, KU 3
Nov. 18 KU 22, Oklahoma State 17
Dec. 25 Aloha Bowls vs. UCLA
And, once again, the Jayhawks prevailed. This time it was a 38-17 victory against Oklahoma.
on to win 41-7.
The team rebounded, however, at home the following week against Missouri with a 42-23 win.
Kansas also faltered for the first time on national television when Nebraska came to town on Nov 11. Though they outplayed the
Cornhuskers in the first half, Jayhawk turnovers led to 14 points. Nebraska won 41-3 and eventually completed an undefeated season.
The regular season finale took place in Stillwater, Okla., the following week. Kansas, needing a win to solidify its bowl aspirations, defeated Oklahoma State 22-17. The victory gave Kansas its most wins since 1968, a Jeep-Eagle Aloha Bowl invitation and a tie with Kansas State and Colorado for second place in the last year of Big Eight Conference competition.
"Ive always maintained that going to a bowl game should be a reward for a good season," Mason said. "We had a good season."
HILLEARY: Comeback is a highlight
"He was a heck of a competitor," he said. "He was not a prototype quarterback, but did what he had to do in the game."
was a no-nonsense type of player,
Warner said.
The 1992 Aloha Bowl was evidence to that fact.
Continued from Page 1B.
Hilleary had only one incompletion in the game, connecting on 22 of 23 passes for 126 yards and led the Jayhawks in a fourth-quarter comeback. Kansas scored the final 11 points of the game.
"By far, the Aloha Bowl was the mostmeaningful game for me."
Hilleary said.
"The Aloha Bowl was a great game for everyone." Warner said. "Chip led us back to victory and had a lot of help behind him."
Many current Jayhawk seniors played with Hilleary in the Aloha Bowl, including L.T. Levine, Dorian Brew, Keith Rodgers, Ashaound Smith and Rod Jones.
Warner agreed.
Hillaryear said Kansas football coach Glen Mason had the same concept in 1992 as this year — making the Aloha-Bowl trip a
"That was the first game that Rod Jones started in," Hilleary said. "He did a heck of a job."
"We went to Hawaii with three goals," Hilleary said. "To have as much fun as possible, to develop the experience of the younger players and to win the ball game."
reward for a good season.
Looking back on his college career, it is the comeback in the Aloha Bowl that Hilleary remembers most.
"Learning how to overcome adversity was the biggest thing I learned while I was in Lawrence," he said. "There was a time when I didn't start a game in my junior year. That was the biggest learning experience about football, and it taught me how to defeat adversity."
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